Clinical characterization and treatment of patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract

Introduction: Sudden hearing loss is an acute sensorineural hearing loss greater than 30 decibels (dB) at three or more consecutive frequencies of tone audiometry, which develops over a period of up to 72 hours. It should be considered as a medical emergency of otorhinolaryngology.

Objective: Describe the clinical characteristics and the treatment to be carried out for patients with sudden hearing loss.

Methods: Descriptive, ambispective and longitudinal study. The universe consisted of all patients diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss who were treated in the otolaryngology service of the Hermanos Ameijeiras Clinical Surgical Hospital in the period from January 2008 to June 2019, the sample consisted of 26 patients diagnosed with hearing loss sudden acute pain that was admitted.

Results: The group with the highest incidence was between 18-29 years without significant differences in sex. 53.8 % of the patients had no personal history. The predominant symptom associated with hearing loss was tinnitus in 80.8 %, with greater involvement of the right ear. 80 % consulted in the first 7 days; Only the hyperbaric chamber, at the third month of follow-up, showed statistical significance.

Conclusions: Sudden hearing loss occurs most often in young adults. The favorable response to treatment is evident in the initial months, and even, with a significant improvement, for those who receive it from the beginning in the hyperbaric chamber.